Russell secures first ever win as Lewis and Max collide

STOKES AT HIS MAGIC BEST TO HELP ENGLAND TO WORLD CUP WIN

GEORGE Russell claimed the first win of his Formula One career as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Pole-sitter Russell (pictured) delivered an electric start at Interlagos before expertly surviving a late safety car as Mercedes finally got off the mark at the penultimate round of the season.

The 24-year-old follows in the footsteps of Hamilton, Jenson Button and David Coulthard to become only the fourth British winner of a Grand Prix this century.

Russell’s supreme performance, 24 hours after he triumphed in Saturday’s sprint race, followed another altercation between Hamilton and Verstappen.

Hamilton recovered from the collision to take second – unable to challenge Russell in an 11-lap dash to the flag – while Verstappen, forced to stop for repairs, and then hit with a five-second penalty by the stewards, finished sixth. Carlos Sainz took third for Ferrari ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

“What an amazing feeling,” said an emotional Russell. “A huge thank you to the whole team for making it possible. It has been an emotional rollercoaster this season.

“Lewis was super fast and when I saw the safety car come out, I thought, ‘Jesus, this is going to be a really difficult end’. But I am really happy to take the victory. I am speechless.”

In terms of the big-name crash, opinions differed.

“He left me no space,” complained Verstappen, who pulled into the pits for repairs.

Unsurprisingly, Hamilton had a different version of events. “That was no racing incident, mate,” he said.

The stewards investigated the accident, and sided with Hamilton.

Verstappen was back on the radio following the stewards’ verdict.

“Where did they expect me to go?” he asked. “He (Hamilton) just closed the door on me, but it doesn’t matter.”